North by Northwest review: ‘Food Hitchcock would have devoured’

Four months ago, I reviewed The Alma, sister pub of North by Northwest. I left raving about its delicious food and Lagunitas “Lags” IPA on tap. The fact that my Gazette review is now part of the gents toilets’ wallpaper decorations only added to my fondness. So I’m excited for the newly opened North by Northwest, in New North Road.

Like The Alma, it’s a movie-themed pub, only North by Northwest is dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock.

There’s portraits of the director hung everywhere, while Hitchcock movies play on screens.

And where the homely, warm Alma pub is an organised mess, with movie paraphernalia literally dripping off the walls, North by Northwest is a sleek alternative.

It’s tidier, more spacious and the type of bar one might head to before a big night in the City.

But I’m not interested in that. Me and my four housemates are here for the food.

The menu is identical to The Alma, which means one thing: it will be good.

The manager, Wes, has already got us off to a good start by demanding we order in some Lags.

So as we quickly sink the six per cent IPA, our shared starter order is very welcome.

We go for nachos (£8: like no nachos you have ever tasted in a pub before, as they have been freshly baked), honey mustard mini sausages (£5.50: deliciously sweet), scotch egg (£4.50: perfect meat to egg ratio) and chicken wings with barbecue sauce (£6.50).

For the main, I greedily choose the double burger from the specials. It’s a hefty one, and not just for its £16.50 price tag. Each juicy, peppery patty seems to have the same thickness as a human arm. So while it’s pricey, you’ll be full for the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, my friends enjoy crab linguini (£14) and barbecue pork ribs (£12) from the specials, and the haloumi and hummus burger (£10.50) from the standard.

We each choose baked banoffie pie with salted caramel ice cream (£6) for dessert, and this is clearly the chef’s specialty. Even for a group that has had enough food, and didn’t really want pudding, this rich treat was perfection.

So, the deal is pretty much the same as The Alma. You’ll pay, but it’ll be worth it.